NEW owners of a popular vegan restaurant have denied rumours it will be turning into a bar which serves meat.

Be The Change reopened under new ownership in 2022 after closing 'temporarily' and then being listed for sale in the same year.

Since it started welcoming customers back to the New Street venue, rumours have been swirling that the restaurant may become a taproom and will soon start serving meat.

Responding to rumours about the business's future, a spokesperson said the business is still dedicated to "vegan-friendly ethics".

They said: "Be The Change is continuing the vegan-friendly ethics that the company started by ensuring we are 100 per cent vegan, and everything that we do and use within the company is vegan-friendly. 

"Having friends and family that are vegan, the decision by the new owner was made to purchase the business to save the only vegan restaurant in Worcester which was valued as being an integral part of the community."

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The new head chef of the business has created a new menu which is being launched tomorrow (Wednesday, January 15).

The spokesperson said: "We have had support from our loyal customers since we reopened with a limited offering which has been fantastic.

"Our new head chef has been vegan for the last six years and has brought a new menu to the business which is being officially launched this Wednesday (grab and go) and hot food breakfast lunch and dinner from this Friday.

"We are also happy to announce that we will be able to offer gluten-free options and have plans to create an outside space later this year.

"We hope to exceed Worcester's expectations for vegan and healthy food in 2023."

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Restaurant bookings can be made online ready for Friday, January 27.

The spokesperson said: "Our grab-and-go menu can be found on our website or on Instagram.

"Restaurant reservations can be made on our website, Google, and Instagram, with reservations from this Friday able to book from this Tuesday."

The business previously had two different locations in Worcester, including a restaurant on New Street and Be The Change Bake A Difference on Cornmarket.

In September 2022, the restaurant said it would be closing for two weeks with no specific reason given.

Be The Change first opened a cafe in Worcester's Cornmarket in 2018.